Horace Silver: Finger Poppin' (2003)

Samuel Chell

Contributor since 2003

Sam Chell is a champion of the composers of the American Songbook and the musicians who keep it alive.

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Published: March 31, 2009

Finger Poppin' (1959) followed Silver's most under-appreciated (and perhaps most ambitious) Blue Note date, Further Explorations (1958). The cast is different (though the fiery Louis Hayes Louis Hayes
b.1937
drums remains on drums), but the compositions and arrangements by Silver are no less artful and the soloists as inspired as the frontline of Art Farmer Art Farmer
1928 - 1999
flugelhorn and Clifford Jordan Clifford Jordan
1931 - 1993
saxophone from the preceding album. This time it's Blue Mitchell Blue Mitchell
b.1930
trumpet and Junior Cook Junior Cook
1934 - 1992
saxophone negotiating the fast tempo and tricky stop-and-go melodies with precision and ease, with Mitchell impressively setting the pace with the first solo on the date. He's crisp, lyrical, inventive, melodic—reminiscent of Kenny Dorham Kenny Dorham
1924 - 1972
trumpet with a fuller sound—and Junior Cook takes his cue accordingly, delivering a solo that's almost as melodically arresting as a Hank Mobley Hank Mobley
1930 - 1986
sax, tenor gem. Both soloists employ the too-rare practice of "listening to themselves," repeating and modifying their phrases while developing whole structures at top speed as opposed to letting fly with a stream of bebop cliches.

The arrangements have some of the complexity and sophistication of tunes like "Ecarole" and "Moon Rays," stylings reflective of the creative (even Ellingtonian) side of Silver which, unfortunately, became less apparent after simpler fare like Song for My Father (1964) proved a commercial formula that could best serve to keep tiny Blue Note records financially solvent (though it should be noted that the operation folded within several years after such Blue Note blockbusters as the aforementioned and Lee Morgan's Sidewinder (and its numerous imitations).

Thanks to the eventual purchase of the label by mega-conglomerate EMI, "Blue Note" still lives on at least in name, but it's albums like Finger Poppin' that testify not merely to its commercial niche but its invaluable contributions to a vibrant American art form in full bloom.

Track Listing: Finger Poppin'; Juicy Lucy; Swingin' The Samba; Sweet Stuff; Cookin' At The Continental; Come On Home; You Happened My Way; Mellow D.

Personnel: Horace Silver: piano; Gene Taylor: bass; Blue Mitchell: trumpet; Louis Hayes; drums; Junior Cook: saxophone.

Record Label: Blue Note Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream